Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 2. Human Activities
Draft 1 March 2007
In May and June 1973, an ecological survey was conducted on Abariringa (Canton), Birnie,
Enderbury, Manra (Sydney), Orona (Hull), and Rawaki (Phoenix) (Fosberg et al 1973). The
purpose of this survey was to report on the ecological impacts of SAMTEC operations, assess
the status of terrestrial ecology of islands visited, and to make recommendations to minimise
adverse ecological effects of SAMTEC operations.
Birnie was claimed by both the U.K. and the U.S. (King 1973).
In 1975, Birnie’s bird protection status (from the 1938 Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony
Wild Birds Protection Ordinance) was confirmed in the Wildlife Conservation Ordinance
(Garnett 1983a).
ENDERBURY
In 1946, the Federal Aviation Agency’s island manager represented the Department of
Interior with the designation “United States Resident Administrator, Canton and Enderbury
Islands” (Office of Territories 1963; McIntire 1960; this was done in 1948 according to
Wright 1951).
The FAA island manager also served the Justice Department as U.S. Deputy Marshall, the
Treasury Department as disbursing agent, and the Coast and Geodetic Survey as tide water
observer
In 1947, no one lived on Enderbury (Bryan 1951; Freeman 1951; Pusinelli 1948; Robson
1956).
In 1948, jurisdiction of the district court of Hawaii was extended to Canton and Enderbury
Islands by an act of Congress (Office of Territories 1963).
In 1962, Enderbury was uninhabited (Office of Territories 1963).
The Hydrographer of the Navy (1969) reported a wreck on the fringing reef on the southeastern
side of the island.
Enderbury was uninhabited (Hydrographer of the Navy 1969).
In 1969, as part of the Canton Operating Location that was set up by the USAF SMTC, tall
radar towers were constructed on Orona (Hull), Abariringa (Canton), and Enderbury (Stack
1982; see also King 1973). Holmes and Narver constructed a 61 m (200 ft) radio antenna at
one end of Enderbury, two 12.2 m (40 ft) sighting towers at the other end of the island, a
road, and an air conditioned trailer (Bryan 1974; King 1973; see also Stack 1982). Supplies
were brought in by helicopter from Abariringa (Canton).
Two or three employees were on Enderbury most of the time (King 1973). This facility was
serviced daily by helicopter from Abariringa (Canton) (Garnett 1983a).
By 1970, all signs of former habitation were no longer visible on Enderbury, except for the
lighthouse and one frame house (Bryan 1974; see also King 1973).
80